Why did Jesus perform miracles? The gospel answers us:
Why did Jesus perform miracles? In Mark's Gospel, most of Jesus' miracles occur in response to human need. A woman is sick, she is healed (Mark 1: 30-31). A little girl is demonized, she is set free (7: 25-29). The disciples are afraid of drowning, the storm has subsided (4: 35-41). The crowd is hungry, the thousands are fed (6: 30-44; 8: 1-10). In general, Jesus' miracles serve to restore the ordinary. [2] Only the curse of the fig tree has a negative effect (11: 12-21) and only miracles of nourishment generate an abundance of what is needed (6: 30-44; 8: 1-10).
Why did Jesus perform miracles? What were they?
Why did Jesus perform miracles? What were they? As Craig Blomberg argues, Markan's miracles also demonstrate the nature of the kingdom preached by Jesus (Mark 1: 14-15). Strangers in Israel, such as a leper (1: 40-42), a bleeding woman (5: 25-34) or Gentiles (5: 1-20; 7: 24-37), are included in the sphere of influence of the new kingdom. Unlike the kingdom of Israel, which is protected by the Leviticus standards of purity, Jesus is not defiled by the impurity he touches. Instead, his holiness and purity are contagious. Lepers are purified by him (1: 40-42). Evil spirits are overwhelmed by him (1: 21-27; 3: 11-12). The kingdom that Jesus announces is an inclusive kingdom that crosses borders, restorative and victorious.
Why did Jesus perform miracles? What do we know?
Why did Jesus perform miracles? What do we know? Miracles can also be viewed as the fulfillment of the Scriptures. The Old Testament promises healing and restoration for Israel (e.g. Isa 58: 8; Jer 33: 6), inclusion for Gentiles (e.g. Isa 52:10; 56: 3), and victory over spiritual and temporal forces hostile (e.g. Zeph 3:17; Zech 12: 7), are fulfilled (at least in part) in Jesus' miraculous deeds.
There is also a complicated relationship between Jesus' miracles and the faith of the beneficiaries. Often the recipient of a healing will be praised for their faith (5:34; 10:52). However, after awakening Jesus to save them from the storm, the disciples are reprimanded for their lack of faith (4:40). The father who admits he has doubts is not rejected (9:24). Although faith often initiates miracles, since Mark miracles do not produce faith, rather, fear and wonder are the standard answers (2:12; 4:41; 5:17, 20). [4] In particular, the Gospel of John and Luke-Acts have a very different perspective on this (eg Luke 5: 1-11; John 2: 1-11).
The tales
It has been observed that i stories some Marian miracles bear some resemblance to parables. Some miracles imitate parables, such as the curse of the fig tree in Mark (Mark 11: 12-25) and the Lucanian parable of the fig tree (Luke 13: 6-9). Furthermore, Jesus he also uses miracles to teach an objective lesson regarding forgiveness (Mark 2: 1-12) and the Sabbath law (3: 1-6). As Brian Blount helpfully notes in this regard, it is perhaps significant that of the first four times Jesus is called a teacher (didaskale), out of a total of twelve times in the Gospel of Mark, it is as part of a miraculous account (4:38, 5:35; 9:17, 38). [6] The only time called Rabbi (Rabbouni) is during the healing of the blind Bartimaeus (10:51).
The teacher
In the perhaps miraculous episode of arranging a room to celebrate Easter (14:14), Jesus is also called "the teacher" (didaskalos). Six of the thirteen instances where Jesus names him a teacher (including 10:51) in Mark are not associated with teaching itself but with displays of supernatural power. There is no clear distinction between Jesus the teacher and Jesus the thaumaturge, as we might expect if teaching and miracles were separate strands of tradition. Or isn't there a rigorous dichotomy for Mark between the ministries of Jesus' teaching and miracles, or perhaps there is a deeper connection between them?
If Jesus is "teacher" also or perhaps above all when he performs miracles, what does this mean for the disciples? Perhaps, like those who followed their teacher, their first role in relation to miracles was that of witnesses. If so, what were they witnessing?